10 Best Places to Visit in Coorg: An Escape to the Cool Climes of a Green Wonderland at the Heart of South India is Much Recommended in 2019

Our fast paced lives often demands that we slow down, take a break and just feel. What better than a place which offers rich flora and fauna, breathtaking views, a journey into culture, heritage and tradition, a thrilling experience and so much more!

If this is what you’re looking for in your next break or vacation, then Coorg is the place to visit.

In Coorg, you can do so much and see so much, with innumerable waterfalls, a unique culture and way of life of its own, wildlife with dense forests, adventure trails and so much more. If you want to experience hills down south in the country, then Coorg is where you should go. Whether going solo, or with some friends or family, Coorg is a perfect place for everyone.

We’ve listed down some of the best places to visit in Coorg, along with some useful information as to how to reach, what to eat and other necessary details. Keep reading to find everything you need to know about Coorg!

Surrounded with coffee plantations and mountains, Coorg is a nature lover’s delight and a special place for wildlife lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It is the perfect place for you to stop, unwind and live the slow life in a very simple manner, in this far away majestic place.

We’ve listed down 10 places which you must visit when in Coorg. The list has been curated in a way that it serves everyone in a unique way. You will find places which would allow you to immerse in nature and the culture of the place, treks and trails for those who seek the unknown and mystical places which allows you to witness what nature has to offer.

This should be on your list if you are an elephant lover and curious to know all about them. The Dubare Elephant Camp provides premium cottages and other properties for you to stay over and spend an entire day to know about the evolution and habits of elephants from a naturalist who will guide you through an immersive experience with nature and wildlife.

The place is home to over 150 elephants, so it will be a very unique experience. When there, you can also indulge into other activities like wildlife observation as the nearby forests are rich in wildlife where you can spot herds of Sambhar, or sights of Asiatic elephants taking a dip in the river or even spot a crocodile soaking the sun. One can also go for bird spotting and watching since you will also find wide variety of birds at Dubare like kingfishers, partridges and many more.

You can check out their website here to know more about Dubare and their rates.

Established in 1988, Nagarhole National Park which is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park is a haven for all the wildlife lovers out there. Spread across an area of six thousand square kilometers, the national park is a home to over 200 species of birds. You can sign up for morning or evening safaris and if you’re lucky, you will spot a leopard roaming around freely looking around ferociously!

Located around 60 kilometres from the city centre, Kutta village is situated in Gonikoppal and is the perfect place to be if you’re looking for some calm and quiet with the only the sounds from the nearby Kaveri river. Offering pristine views of the river and the surrounding hills, Kutta village in where you can get a glimpse into the local culture, and get an insight on the local life there.

A plus point is that Kutta is not a popular tourist destination since not a lot of travellers know of the place. So, if you’re looking for an offbeat place with few tourists, Kutta should be on your list.

A very popular and sought after place by those who visit Coorg, Abbey fall is a delight to witness and this should definitely be on your list. Located amid coffee plantations and spice estates, Abbey falls offer breathtaking views of the gushing water falling through the rocks.

You can either take a dip in the waterfall depending on its intensity or just enjoy it from the hanging bridge right across it. Rest assured, Abbey Falls in sure be worth your time.

A lake situated close to the village of Sulimalthe, Honnamana Lake offers beautiful views and also is of religious importance to the locals.

It is a great place to be for some calm, allowing yourself to get immersed in the beauty of nature with the lake offering a view of the mystical mountains around. As for its religious relevance, the lake is named after the goddess Honnamana who sacrificed her life for the well being of the locals, and there also is a temple situated next to the lake dedicated to the goddess.

A lot of newly wed couples visit the temple during the Gowri Pooja to pay their offerings and it could be an interesting time to visit the lake, to enjoy the naturally breathtaking views it has to offer along with an immersion into the local traditions and culture.

Built in 1820, the Omkareshwar Temple in Coorg is dedicated to Lord Shiva. What is interesting about the temple, is its unique architectural style, showcasing a blend of Gothic and Islamic styles. At the entrance of the temple, its history is inscribed on a copper plate.

Another eye catching feature is the water tank in front of the temple, which houses different kinds of fish and is popular among children. A visit to the temple will leave you with a feeling of awe, simplicity and calm.

If you are an adventure enthusiast, then you must climb up the Brahmagiri Peak which is located at an altitude of 1600 metres. The peak offers panoramic views with pristine hills, and water streams which you will spot a lot of times on your way.

To reach the peak, you will pave your way through wonderful glasslands and rich floras. The entire region also houses different animal species like jungle cat, spotted deer, giant flying squirrel and a lot more. A blend of soothing views and thrill, Brahmagiri Peak should definitely be in your list.

Another village which should be in your list to immerse yourself into the local culture, heritage and tradition is the village of Chettali which is situated on the Madikeri-Siddapur road. The village is surrounded by unpaved dirt roads and narrow lanes, with lush green trees around, offering much to see and be delighted by, especially for a nature lover. A perfect escape from concrete jungles, this rural and beautiful place provides a much needed contrast for those in need of a reminder of a simpler time.

Located in Mysore district, Bylakuppe should be on your list when on your way to Coorg. It is extremely popular among tourists for the striking contrast is has to offer from the rest of the places in South India.

Bylakuppe is the biggest Tibetan settlement in South India which means it is nothing less than a mini Tibet. And this is exactly what this place has to offer, a glance and immersion into the Tibetan culture - through the people, food, sights and a lot more.

When in Bylakuppe, make sure you try out the Tibetan delicacies, stroll around in the lanes to get a view and feel of the local culture and buy some Tibetan souvenirs on your way back. A very popular sight in Bylakuppe is the Namdroling Monastery which through its colorful designing and architecture, and the calm is a perfect place to be for you to first hand experience the beauty of Tibetan culture.

The best time to visit Bylakuppe is during the Tibetan new year since the celebrations would then be in order, and there is no better time than than to be a part of the local culture and festivities.

Named after an old ritual where the kings of Kodagu visited this very spot with their queens to soak in the breathtaking sunset, this place offers a stunning view of sunsets and sun rises and should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

Situated on the town of Madikeri, Raja’s Seat is known to be one of the most scenic places in Coorg. Not just the sunset, but it also offers scenic views of the hills, where you find yourself surrounded by greenery. You could visit Raja’s Seat either early in the morning for a refreshing start, or in the evening to end your day with an awestruck sunset.

Now that you know all about the popular and less known destinations in and around Coorg that should be a part of your list, we have also listed down some things you need to know and information which shall come in handy to make your trip to Coorg a hassle free and soothing experience!

By Flight: The nearest airport to Coorg is the Mangalore International Airport which is 135 km away from Coorg. From Mangalore you can take buses by Karnataka Tourism. To know more about the bus timings and routes, you can visit their website .

By Train: If taking a train, Coorg is well connected through the following stations - Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan which are the nearby stations. From there you can either take a cab or a bus to reach Coorg.

By Bus: Coorg is a popular weekend getaway for people from Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore and you can easily find buses to Coorg from these places at regular intervals.

Coorg is blessed with a pleasant weather throughout the year which fluctuates between 20 to 25 degrees. This means you can visit Coorg anytime of the year if you’re visiting to unwind and relax.

If you’re an adventure enthusiast and want to explore the various adventure activities in and around the region, then October to May is a good time to enjoy the outdoor activities and various treks and trails around the region.

If you’re someone who seeks diversity of culture, wanting to deep dive into the unique culture and tradition of a place, then you should visit during the time of festivities, namely Kail Pold, Kaveri Sankramana and Puttari which take place during the months of September to December.

If adventure is what serves your soul, then Coorg will be a special place for you. With some great mountains and grasslands in the region, Coorg offers various treks and hikes from easy to difficult levels.

Some of the best ones include:
Brahmagiri Peak which offers you rich flora and fauna with lush green sceneries and crystal clear water streams
Tadiandamol Peak, which is also Karnataka’s second highest peak offering some great thrill
Pushpagiri Peak, and
Mandalpatti View Point

When in Coorg, do not miss out on the traditional South Indian fare. Here are some of the dishes which you must try: kadumbuttu which are rice dumplings, Koli curry, nool puttu and bamboo shoot curry.